Lance Armstrong was born in Plano, Texas, in 1971. As a child, he enjoyed running, swimming and bicycling - and when he was only 13, he competed in his first triathlon. He became a professional athlete at age 16. While he was still in high school, the American national cycling team asked Armstrong to work out with them.
In 1991, Armstrong won several major races. However, he didn't always win. At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, he finished fourteenth - a poor showing. The next year, he made a fantastic comeback: He won the U.S. cycling " Triple Crown," and then became the youngest cyclist ever to win the World Race Championships in Norway.
Armstrong's career was really taking off. Then in 1996, he started to feel tired and ill. He finished in only twelfth place in the Atlanta Olypics - a disappointment. Later that year, Armstrong got the shock of his life: He was diagnosed with cancer, and his doctors said he had only 40 percent chance of surviving. Mang people were convinced that his career was over.
In 1991, Armstrong won several major races. However, he didn't always win. At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, he finished fourteenth - a poor showing. The next year, he made a fantastic comeback: He won the U.S. cycling " Triple Crown," and then became the youngest cyclist ever to win the World Race Championships in Norway.
Armstrong's career was really taking off. Then in 1996, he started to feel tired and ill. He finished in only twelfth place in the Atlanta Olypics - a disappointment. Later that year, Armstrong got the shock of his life: He was diagnosed with cancer, and his doctors said he had only 40 percent chance of surviving. Mang people were convinced that his career was over.
